Jim Yeager, the Avalon's lead guitarist, wrote a nice note along with this, asking for a few good words.

Jim, when music sounds like this, a few good words is the least I can do. Okay, Walla Walla is in the same state as Seattle, and some of that has rubbed off on the band. The vocals do screech at times, but in a nice way, and the light grunge gives way to cool melodies.

I like all four songs on this, but "Anxiety" and "The Couch" really yank my crank the most. Hope to hear more from these guys soon. For contact info, see the notes on their 10-song demo on page 4.

If the 7" your station should be receiving (so says the press) isn't enough (and it shouldn't be), then by all means check out this tape. I don't really want to be redundant, so check out the review on page 2. This stuff is good. And if you didn't get a copy of the 7"-Get it!

Well, a couple of months ago this seemed damn heavy for Christian band. Now, it seems tame. But the talent is still apparent. The occasional peppering of acoustics into the mix is nice, and as you know, I'm a big fun of enunciation. Here the vocals are more punk than death, anyway.

The variety of rhythm is very nice. Diversity if good in a death metal band, even one on the accessibility edge such as Believer. I'm not into all the ideology (like the anti-drug screed "Stop the Madness), but this is a great album to listen to.

Specifics: "Wisdom's Call," "Nonpoint," "Dies Irae (Day of Wrath)" are great, as is the rollicking U2 cover "Like a Song." First rate work.

The playlists I like the most are ones that deviate from the metal "norm." They include bands like Poster Children, MC 900 Ft Jesus or Die Kruezen. Perhaps a Jello spoken word album. But back to Die Kruezen. They are one of the finest bands out there, with a catalog to be proud of. Sometimes they are loud, sometimes not, but they certainly fall smack dab in the middle of that "alternative" category.

Last week I got a "Poster Children? On a metal chart?" response when I reported to (um, let's not piss them off). Don't worry. I like creativity. And, actually, it felt very nice to do something that shocked someone at Rockpool. Oops.

Did I mention these guys are brilliant? You can seg many of their tunes right along with early Soundgarden or stuff like that. Lots of wailing and cool guitars. Don't be afraid to play this. You won't be sorry.

A side note: "Deep Space" is not loud - but it may be the best song of the year. "Holes," "Best Goodbye", "Over and the Edge" and "Downtime" all rock very nicely.

Immolation has been passed by in the recent glut of death metal, but perhaps they deserve a glance. While certainly nothing out of the ordinary is going on here, there is a respect for the riff permeating the album, which is more than many out there.

Enunciation is achieved occasionally, and the results here are fairly uniform. No great songs, but many good ones. Check out "Internal Decadence," "Despondent Souls" and "After My Prayers."

Another Burns production at Morrisound. Sorry, but it's becoming a cliche. There isn't anything exciting to listening to such things any more. At least not upon reading those words.

But a good band can overcame such limitations. Malevolent Creation comes close, but still is a little off for my taste. Often, on tracks like "Memorial Arrangements" and "Remnants of Withered Decay," they stick with a good groove. But then on many other songs they speed for speed's sake. You know, lots of guys can play songs at 220 bpm. It's the real band who can do that AND make it sound good.

Wait a minute, I'm berating a band that has the speed thing down pretty well. Malevolent Creation is one of the best speed bands, but it just sort of upsets me when obvious talent ignores the possibilities.

To sum up: this is a good record. I think with different direction and production, it could have been great. Malevolent Creation will be a force to reckon with.

It was five years ago today... . You realize, of course, five years ago us college music types were hailing Seattle as the music capital of the world; hell, we were even speaking of it reverentially three years ago. Now the hip scene has cruised through Athens, Austin and (unfortunately) Manchester. Who knows where it will end up next. But now Seattle is the pop music capital of the world. Not only Nirvana, but Queensryche, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and others have made it big. C/Z wants to claim it began with the Melvins back with the series of recordings that make up this...album, I suppose.

To be fair, lots of other people say nice things about the Melvins (me included), so let's not quibble. This disc is a slab of short, heavy pieces that will drain your brain. And remember, Mud-hon Matt Lukin was a part of this incarnation (before he lost his virginity, the press says). You know you want to play it, so do. You won't be sorry.

Bob sent me a tape containing Saint Chaos' two most recent demos, "Contents Under Pressure" and "Obsessed With You," plus a couple more songs. The sound is very crisp and tight, a lot more so than I expected. Their sound lies somewhere between Fates Warning, early Queensryche and not a little Judas Priest. Sounds I can definitely get into. The only thing holding these guys back from a major deal is their refusal to become Bon Jovi sound-alikes (hear me, Poison and Motley Crue?). If they keep up this level of performance, they should have no problem finding ink in the near future. One hint, though, guys: ditch the stupid nicknames. If I had a beer for every band who has a guitarist named "Fingers"...

What Godflesh wishes it could be. For a real taste of the industrial madness, Skin Chamber is as good as it gets. Not that this is in any way intended for the timid. After all, this duo was known as Fat Hacker until someone got them to change it.

In any case, the name change hasn't changed the music. This is nastiness incarnate, and the noise is terrific. Start out with "Carved in Skin (Apt. 213)" and "Mind Grinder" and eventually you can progress to "Swallowing Scrap Metal (Pt. 2)," which is nothing less than a chainsaw turned inside out.

Don't turn your back; Skin Chamber is gonna get you.

One of the best compilations of the year. What the hell, the best. If you are clueless to the Seattle scene that exists past Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, listen up here. While not all of the bands are from Seattle, many are and this is a great mix.

For those of you that don't know of any other singles than the Sub Pop club, then you have missed out. Teriyaki Asthma is another such series. Here is the format: take four bands and put one song by each on a 7". Simple. Perfect.

And what a list of bands: the aforementioned Nirvana (sounding rather unlike "Nevermind"), Coffin Break, God's Acre, the almighty Alice Donut, L7, Babes in Toyland and more. The best tracks? Go for the Helios Creed take on Richard Nixon, Pitbull Babysitter, Dickless or anything else.

That's really the beauty of this: there are no clunkers. Some strangeness, to be sure, but some really great music going on, too. Just sample your way through and heave a sigh of relief. Finals are over and God has smiled on you with this disc.

Oh yeah, don't forget: Volume 7 (on vinyl) is out soon. What more could you ask for (besides a long overdue peace dividend)?